MCTA Meeting Hosts Guest Speakers, Welcomes New Members

August 1 Membership Meeting of the Minnesota Chauffeured Transportation Association (MCTA)St. Paul, Minn. — The Seventh Street Social bar and restaurant was host to the August 1 membership meeting of the Minnesota Chauffeured Transportation Association (MCTA). More than a dozen members and guests were on hand to discuss recent issues relating to the association.

MCTA President Charlie Murray of Total Luxury Limousine called the meeting to order by reading the minutes from the association’s previous meeting, and then thanked the membership for their continued commitment to the organization. Murray then welcomed Nate Mussell, a government relations expert at association management firm Lockridge Grindal Nauen, to speak about Minnesota’s Working Families Agenda. This legislation includes a paid sick leave ordinance, and an initiative to raise the minimum wage to $15/hour.

Next, two airport representatives—Atif Saeed, assistant director of MSP Operations/Landside, and Steve Holes, manager of commercial vehicle operations on MSP Airport/MAC proposed commercial transportation ordinances—were introduced to the group. Saeed and Holes expressed an interest in having a better dialogue with the MCTA, and shared their proposal for separate TNC ordinances as well as a fee increase for the on-demand providers. The reps then answered questions from the association members regarding signage, parking, and fingerprint checks.

Murray also shared information about his meeting with Minnesota Senator Al Franken regarding the situation with TNCs. He said that Franken was sympathetic to their cause, particularly in light of the violation of labor laws on the part of TNCs. Murray also addressed the August 1 state minimum wage increase and its effect on the association members, which was the topic of discussion among members.

Before turning over the floor to MCTA Vice President Len Nelson of Valley Limo, Murray gave an update on the 2016 Ryder Cup and distributed letters and maps for the members that detailed parking and drop-off points for the renowned golf tournament. During his report, Nelson encouraged MCTA members to remain in touch with Minnesota’s DOT regarding proposed rules that stemmed from the 2014 passing of the Limousine Modernization Act.

The remainder of the meeting dealt with new business, including the addition of three new members to the association: Gus Ortis of Executive Transportation, Clyde McRae of Rath Transportation, and Matthew Loegering of 1st Class Transportation. Before the meeting adjourned, the members agreed to nix plans to do MCTA decal signage, but instead opted for a certificate of membership to display in the office of each member.